As noted earlier, Telsey downgraded CBS (CBS) to Market Perform from Outperform. Analyst Tom Eagan says that CBS will probably merge with Viacom (VIA, VIAB). The analyst believes that it will take "years" for Viacom to be turned around, and he says that Viacom's fiscal 2017 EBITDA will come in 18% below its fiscal 2015 level. The analyst expects the company's credit rating to be downgraded by S&P. CBS target to $57 from $67.

10/04/16

UBSW

10/04/16UPGRADETarget $66UBSWBuy

CBS upgraded to Buy at UBS

As reported previously, UBS analyst Doug Mitchelson upgraded CBS (CBS) to Buy from Sell. The analyst sees any deal with Viacom (VIA) as priced into CBS shares already. He also has increased confidence in consensus estimates for CBS and sees further upside if the national TV ad market and CBS' ratings remain strong. Mitchelson raised his price target to $66 from $52 on CBS shares.

10/13/16

WELS

10/13/16UPGRADEWELSMarket Perform

Viacom upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo analyst Marci Ryvicker upgraded Viacom (VIAB) to Market Perform saying she believes shares are close to a floor. A merger with CBS (CBS) does not appear imminent, but if/when it does happen, CBS is unlikely to pay less than $32-$33 per Viacom share in a take-under, Ryvicker tells investors in a research note. The analyst has a $33-$35 price target range for Viacom shares. Ryvicker says that she still "REALLY" likes CBS and is cautious on CBS and Disney (DIS) into the Q3 earnings season.

10/13/16

10/13/16UPGRADE

On The Fly: Top five analyst upgrades

Catch up on today's top five analyst upgrades with this list compiled by The Fly: 1. Merck (MRK) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill with analyst Colin Bristow citing its opportunity in first line lung cancer. 2. Viacom (VIA, VIAB) upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at Wells Fargo and to Buy from Underperform at BofA/Merrill. 3. TD Ameritrade (AMTD) and Charles Schwab (SCHW) were upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill. 4. Talend (TLND) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman with analyst Jesse Hulsing saying the company will benefit from analytic workloads moving to the cloud. 5. CSC (CSC) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Citi. This list is just a portion of The Fly's full analyst coverage. To see The Fly's full Street Research coverage, click here.

VIABViacom

$35.82

0.7 (1.99%)

10/13/16

BOFA

10/13/16UPGRADEBOFABuy

Viacom upgraded to Buy from Underperform at BofA/Merrill

BofA/Merrill analyst Jessica Reif Cohen upgraded Viacom (VIAB) two notches to Buy from Underperform and raised its price target to $44 from $37. The analyst views risk/reward as favorable given a potential turnaround by a new management team, which is almost certain. Cohen said Viacom appears closer to a strategy shift that includes re-programming, re-branding, aggressively extending content into digital outlets, and restoring Paramount to growth and profitability. The analyst expects shares to start pricing in a more robust potential as a standalone entity, or a combination with CBS (CBS).

10/14/16

RBCM

10/14/16NO CHANGERBCM

CBS outlook positive says RBC Capital

RBC Capital analyst Steven Cahall expects CBS (CBS) to report "squeaky clean" Q3 results that includes a 1c EPS beat. The analyst is upbeat on a potential acquisition of Viacom (VIAB) by CBS, saying that the recent decline in Viacom's stock would improve accretion to CBS shareholders.

CBSCBS

$55.24

0.09 (0.16%)

10/04/16

10/04/16UPGRADE

On The Fly: Top five analyst upgrades

Catch up on today's top five analyst upgrades with this list compiled by The Fly: 1. CBS (CBS) upgraded to Buy from Sell at UBS with analyst Doug Mitchelson saying he sees any deal with Viacom (VIA) as priced into CBS shares already. He also has increased confidence in consensus estimates for CBS and sees further upside if the national TV ad market and CBS' ratings remain strong. 2. Pandora (P) upgraded to Conviction Buy from Buy at Goldman with analyst Heath Terry saying he sees significant upside to out-year estimates from premium radio and on-demand subscriptions. He expects competition to ease as new entrants slow and existing providers focus on profitability and limit "free" models. 3. Las Vegas Sands (LVS) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill with analyst Shaun Kelley saying shares remain fairly under-owned and thinks estimate revisions will move higher due to market momentum, better ROI for Parisian, Cotai infrastructure additions, and optionality from Japan and real estate. 4. KBR (KBR) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank with analyst Chad Dillard saying yesterday's 10% post-guidance cut selloff is overdone and backward-looking. 5. West Marine (WMAR) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at B. Riley. This list is just a portion of The Fly's full analyst coverage. To see The Fly's full Street Research coverage, click here.

CBS.A

$55.94

0.09 (0.16%)

03/09/16

03/09/16UPGRADE

On The Fly: Top five analyst upgrades

Catch up on today's top five analyst upgrades with this list compiled by The Fly: 1. Casey's General Stores (CASY) upgraded to Outperform and Strong Buy at RBC Capital and Feltl, respectively, with analysts citing valuation and long-terms earnings growth. RBC Capital analyst Irene Nattel expects a re-acceleration of FY17 unit growth driven by new store construction and strategic initiatives to result in a recovery in the multiple, consistent with peers. 2. CBS (CBS) upgraded to Outperform at Wells Fargo by analyst Marci Ryvicker, who said there is a lot more clarity on the company's core business than when she originally downgraded the shares last August. The analyst also cites strong ad trends, Nielsen's more accurate measurement system, the company's NFL deal and better monetization of Showtime. 3. Bitauto (BITA) upgraded to Outperform at Credit Suisse with analyst Evan Zhou saying that the company is making progress in auto transaction services with an improving margin profile. 4. FireEye (FEYE) upgraded to Overweight at Piper Jaffray by analyst Andrew Nowinski, who said the company's transition to an as-a-service model will be successful. Nowinski adds that FireEye is expected to reach profitability in the second half of 2017. 5. CRH (CRH) upgraded to Buy at Jefferies citing an improving outlook for most of the company's key markets. This list is just a portion of The Fly's full analyst coverage. To see The Fly's full Street Research coverage, click here.